Kalanchoe plant named ‘Molly’

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Molly’, characterized by its numerous large dark red flowers; upright and compact plant habit; dark green leaves; early flowering; and excellent postproduction longevity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant, botanically known as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Molly’.

The new Kalanchoe is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Hinnerup, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to create new freely-flowering Kalanchoe cultivars with compact plant habit and excellent postproduction longevity.

The new Kalanchoe originated from a cross made by the Inventor of the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivar Lina, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivar Juliana, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,228, as the male, or pollen, parent. The cultivar Molly was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Hinnerup, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new Kalanchoe by terminal cuttings taken at Hinnerup, Denmark, by the Inventor, has shown that the unique features of this new Kalanchoe are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar Molly has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, daylength and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Molly’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Molly’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large dark red flowers.

2. Upright and compact plant habit.

3. Dark green leaves.

4. Early flowering.

5. Excellent postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Kalanchoe differ primarily from plants of the parent cultivars in flower color, leaf shape and plant growth habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Kalanchoe, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Kalanchoe. The photographs were taken under diffuse natural light conditions on an overcast day with electronic flash at approximately noon in Hinnerup, Denmark.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of a typical potted plant of ‘Molly’.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet comprises a top perspective view of a typical potted plant of ‘Molly’ showing the flowers and foliage.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a close-up view of the following: side perspective view (top) and top perspective view of a typical flowering cyme (bottom) and immature (top) and fully expanded leaves (bottom) of ‘Molly’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Unpinched plants used in the photographs and for the following observations and measurements were grown in Hinnerup, Denmark, under commercial practice in a glass-covered greenhouse for about 9.5 weeks after the start of short day/long night photoperiodic treatment with average temperatures of 20° C.

Botanical classification: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivar Molly.

Parentage:

Female, or seed, parent.—Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivar Lina, not patented.

Male, or pollen, parent.—Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivar Juliana, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,228.

Propagation:

Type cutting.—Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.—About 12 days.

Rooting habit.—Numerous, fine, fibrous, and well-branched.

Plant description:

Form.—Upright and compact plant habit with numerous compound cymes; freely flowering. Actual plant shape will depend on whether or not plants are pinched (apical terminals removed). Finished plant size is appropriate for one plant per 9 to 10-cm container or three plants per 13-cm container.

Branching habit.—Freely branching. Pinching (removal of terminal apex) is not required but will enhance lateral branch development.

Plant height at flowering.—About 24 cm.

Plant diameter at flowering.—About 20 cm.

Foliage description.—Leaves simple, opposite, generally symmetrical. Size: Mature foliage size is reduced after floral induction. Vegetative plants: Length: About 9 cm. Width: About 6 cm. Reproductive plants: Length: About 5 cm. Width: About 3 cm. Shape: Oval. Apex: Obtuse. Margin: Crenate; undulate. Aspect: Concave. Texture: Leathery, glabrous, succulent, rugose. Color: Young and mature foliage, upper surface: 147A. Young and mature foliage, lower surface: 147B.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.—Single flowers arranged in compound dichasial cymes that arise from leaf axils. Upright flowering stems. Freely flowering. Flowers persistent.

Natural flowering season.—Late autumn/winter/early spring; flower initiation and development can be induced under short day/long night conditions.

Time to flower.—Early flowering. In the summer with 20° C. growing temperatures, about 7.5 weeks of short day/long night conditions are required to produce flowering plants. During the winter with supplemental lighting and 20° C. growing temperatures, about 9.5 weeks of short day/long night conditions are required to produce flowering plants. Time to flower is primarily dependent upon temperature and light intensity.

Flower opening.—First flower open is the terminal flower at the main axis and is followed by the opening of the terminal flowers of the side branches of the inflorescence. About one week after the first flower has opened, 50% of the remaining flowers are open.

Post-production longevity.—Plants of the new Kalanchoe maintain good leaf and flower substance for at least five weeks under interior environmental conditions.

Flower diameter.—About 2.1 cm.

Quantity.—Very freely flowering, at least 250 flowers per plant.

Flower buds.—Shape: Narrowly oblong. Length: About 1.5 cm. Width: About 3 mm. Color: 46A.

Petals.—Quantity: Four fused at base. Length: About 1 cm. Shape: Round obovate. Apex: Cuspidate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous, smooth and satiny. Color: Upper surface: Between 46A and 46B. Lower surface: Towards base, 47C; towards apex, 45C.

Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Stamen number: Eight. Anther shape: Slightly oblong. Filament color: Yellow green. Pollen color: Yellow. Pistils: Pistil number: Four. Style color: Green. Stigma shape: Round. Ovaries: Superior and four-celled. Ovary size: About 5 mm by 1 mm. Ovary color: Light green.

Seed.—Seed production has not been observed.

Disease resistance: Resistance to known Kalanchoe diseases has not been observed to date under commercial practice. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Molly’, as 